Get Comfortable with Discomfort in the GMAT Verbal Section

You may be surprised to hear that cultivating sheer determination to find the correct answers—no matter what—can actually add 5 or more points to your GMAT Verbal score.

While mastering the content and strategies for Verbal questions is essential, it’s equally important to develop the mental toughness to persevere through challenging questions. Often, you’ll encounter tricky passages or confusing answer choices that may leave you feeling uncertain or frustrated. However, learning to sit with that discomfort, staying focused, and pushing through those difficult moments can make a significant difference in your performance. In fact, building the resilience to stay engaged and avoid second-guessing yourself under pressure can be the key to unlocking those extra points.

Persevering through discomfort is how you strengthen your GMAT Verbal muscles to the point where you can handle whatever heavy lifting comes your way on test day.

There is a significant amount of scientific research showing the role of mindset in test prep. If we never learn to deal with the discomfort we feel when something doesn’t come easily to us, chances are we’ll never advance to the point where that thing does come easily.

If you quit the moment things get tough, or if you tell yourself, “I’m too confused to figure this out,” you’re essentially locking yourself in that state of confusion. The key to improving your GMAT Verbal score lies in how you handle these challenging moments. Instead of giving up or letting frustration take over, you need to embrace the discomfort. Understand that confusion is a natural part of the learning process. When you feel uncertain or stuck, it’s actually a sign that you’re pushing the boundaries of your knowledge and skills.

So, if you want to improve in GMAT Verbal, expect to feel uncomfortable at times when tackling tough questions. Welcome that feeling! It means you’re on the right track, learning, growing, and doing exactly what you need to do to elevate your Verbal score. Rather than avoiding these moments, see them as opportunities for growth. With time, persistence, and a positive mindset, those moments of discomfort will lead to noticeable improvement.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GMAT prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep